Jernbanenyheder II. kvartal 2000

• Denmark: MZ 1401 to be preserved - Shunting accident in Kalundborg - First class EG workings - Israil Railways orders more IC/3 DMU's - Øresund link preparations - MZ III's to Poland - MZ III's stored in Nykøbing F. - EG, ET, Y31K, X2K & 185 testings - PBS to lease 10 class 66-locos - ØSJS MX 42 lease - Railway museum for 25 years - Steam around Copenhagen - DSB Stykgods freight division sold - Esbjerg-Herning "Vestkraft" coal-train ended - First class EG arrival - Di6 / DE 2650 testings and repaints - Two class MH temporarily preserved... - Club 40 steam specials - More class MZ_IV-workings in the West - Privatbanen Sønderjylland MY-timings - Three killed in accident
  
• Germany: Siemens Dispolok DE-26-workings - Hannover S-bahn crash - NEG V170's in Haldensleben - Class 145 for HGK - DB Crash injures 34 - Siemens Lokpool - Class 185 dual-voltage locomotive testings - NEG V170 1155 works the "Hoyer-shuttle
• Hungary: M 61 news & farewell tour
• Luxemburg: Siemens Dispolok DE 26 leased for 3 years
• Austria: New diesel locos
• Norway: NSB class 73 grounded: - Last NSB Di3-workings & farewell tour
• Sweden : Class 66 for TGOJ? - DB Class 103 to SJ rumours
• United Kingdom: Final EWS class 66 delivered
• Model Railways : Heljan DSB Bn-Bns-coaches - Heljan Nohab delayed

  
  

MZ 1401 to be preserved: The first-delivered DSB MZ-locomotive, 1401, has been planned to be preserved for several years. Now it seems as if the loco will quit active duty within the next week or two, perhaps in order to be repainted before the Danmarks Jernbane Museum 25-year celebrations in August (30. June 2000, source Peter Gross).

Shunting accident in Kalundborg: This morning at around 5.00 DSB ME 1509 and ME 1511 had a shunting accident in Kalundborg, as they ran into each others sides. This meant that two other locos (ME 1526 og ME 1503) where trapped...The RØ 4514 (5,58 Kb-Kk) and RØ 4516 (6,17 Kb-Hk) where cancelled and replaced by busses. The locomotive from freight train G9521 - MZ 1457 - was then used for RØ 4518, while the breakdown-spare loco from Roskilde - ME 1522 - arrived in Kalundborg at 07.00 and where used for RØ 4528. Breakdown-train 6009 (ME 1502 + accident cars) arrived in Kalundborg at 9.22. Photo by Helge Bækgaard Rasmussen. (27. June 2000).

First class EG workings: The first use of a class EG in regular workings was in GD 40766 friday 09. June 2000: The train was hauled by EA 3014 +EG 3102 from Padborg. Until Ringsted the train ran in time, but as EA 3020 had a breakdown with GD 42761 between Viby S and Borup, EA 3014 was uncoupled in Ringsted and used to rescue GD 42761. GD40766 was then delayed 23 min from Ringsted - hauled by EG 3102 solely on the line from Ringsted-Copenhagen Freight Yard.

The first EG-hauled through freight train from Padborg to Malmö and return ran on 22. June 2000, GD 21306 (replaced GD45750 Padborg-Copenhagen Freight Yard), hauled by EG 3106. Departure was from Padborg 4.33, Cph 9.58-9.58 onwards to Malmö Freight Yard. The train arrived in time at Cph but was delayed for one hour, as a swedish radio had to be found before it could continue to Sweden. In Sweden the EG is limited to 80 km/h and always has to have two locomotive drivers, as they are still not proved for use with the swedish ATC secuity system.

EG 3106 returned to Padborg with GD 21311 Malmö-Padborg (replacing GD40552), ordinary departure 12.51, but the train was delayed.

The EG-testings with the MY-locomotives between Odense and Slagelse still continues. (30. June 2000, thanks to various people).

Israil Railways orders more IC/3 DMU's: Israeli Railways has ordered 20 IC/3-type DMU's at Adtranz Randers, but it is possible that another 30 units will be ordered, as Israeli Airways will need totally 50 trains during the next 8 years. This follows an earlier production of 17 units. Compared with the danish units, these trains has been modified with improved air-condition and more. The first of the new units will be delivered in the end of 2001. (27. June 2000, source NJK Solør og Oda).

Øresund link preparations: From the timetable change on 2. July 2000 the Copenhagen-Malmö fixed link will be inagurated. For the initial "Øresundstog" passenger traffic, 6 trainsets of each two units will be used: 2 DSB/SJ ET/X31K, 2 DSB MF (IC/3-DMU's) and 2 SJ Y2K ("Kustpilen") and trains will run 3 times in each direction each hour. The Copenhagen-Ystad trains will be with MF-units until enough ET-EMU's has been delivered.
8 DSB MF and 5 SJ Y2K-trainsets has been modified with both countries ATC-systems, as delivery of the ET/X31K-EMU's has been severely delayed.

From 17. August 2000 SJ X2000-trains will start working Copenhagen-Stockholm.

Freight trains will be hauled by the new DSB EG-locomotives, until enough has been delivered only to Vigerslev, Glostrup, Høje Taastrup or Ringsted, where EA or MZ locos will take over.

Which locos will be used by the new operators is not yet clear. (16. June 2000, source dk.fritid.jernbaner, DSB and Øresundsbron).

MZ III's to Poland: MZ 1429, 1431, 1436, 1434, 1437, 1428 and 1440 was moved to Padborg on 9. June 2000. They will be moved to Poland through Germany in short due. Apparently they are going to work for a Polish operator. No more details known at this time (15. June 2000, source dk.fritid.jernbaner and more).

As many as 16 MZ III's has been quoted to be exported! (16. June 2000, source Jan Lundstrøm).
Photo from Padborg by Sven Ullrich added 20. June 2000.

6 MZ III's being moved to Nykøbing Falster for storage, seen on 8. April 2000 near Myrup (train M 6441). Locos where: MZ 1458 + MZ 1449 + MZ 1441 + MZ 1432 + MZ 1427 + MZ 1437 + MZ 1428 + MZ 1440. Photo © Jan Lundstrøm

EG, ET, Y31K, X2K & 185 testings: Massive numbers of locomotives and EMU's are being tested in Denmark these days:
On 9. May 2000 M 6029 consisted of MY 1135 + MT 166 + SJ 2040 X2K + 2747 UA2GK + 2753 UA2GK + 2624 URB2K + 2870 UB2FK + 2880 UB2FK + 2544 UB2XK ran from Copenhagen to Vojens, the X2K-set then being tested the following days.

On 9. May 2000, M 6029 consisted of MY 1135 + MT 166 + SJ 2040 X2K + 2747 UA2GK + 2753 UA2GK + 2624 URB2K + 2870 UB2FK + 2880 UB2FK + 2544 UB2XK ran from Copenhagen to Vojens. Here the train is seen in Ringsted. Photo © Jan Lundstrøm

Also SJ X31-A 4305 + M-4705 + SJ X31K-B 4505 is in currently in Vojens, as well as DSB EG 3105 and ET 4305 - FT 4705 - ET 4505. The DSB MY 1135, MZ 1426 and MT 166 is used for hauling the locos and EMU's around.

DB 185 002-3 was returned on 12. May 2000, after tests in Sønderborg, Malmö(!) and Vojens. On 22. May 185 001-5 and 185 002-3 arrived in Denmark again, for testing in Vojens.

New Dual-voltage locomotives DSB EG 3104 and DBAG 185 002-3 being tested in Sønderborg on 20. April 2000. Photo © Jan Lundstrøm

In Copenhagen the locos EG 3101, 3102 and 3104 are being tested.

On 2. May 2000 185 002-1 and DSB EG 3101 was moved to Malmö for testing in Sweden.

EG 3102 was used for driver training between Odense and Fredericia on the 20.-23. May 2000, hauling 3 class MZ-locos. EG 3102 is the only locomotive allowed for use on danish tracks.

(24. May 2000, sources dk.fritid.jernbaner, SJK, John Nissen and more).

Testing of the new class EG dual-voltage locomotives takes place around Odense to Korsør/Slagelse and to Fredericia withing the next week..

25. May MY 1126-1146-1150 and 1152 arrived in Odense in order to be used for dead weight for these testings... (29. May 2000, source dk.fritid.jernbaner and more).

On 30. May EG 3104 used 4 MY-locomotives as dead weight, when running to Slagelse on train FM 8836. The MY's where MY 1152 (idle) + MY 1146 + MY 1150 + MY 1126 (3 dead engines). Here the train is preparing departure in Odense. More photos in the Rail-O-Rama Photogallery.

 

PBS to lease 10 class 66-locos: Danish private operator Privatbanen Sønderjylland has signed a contract with ICF Intercontainer- Interfrigo S.C.on running 24 trains weekly with containers and swap bodies between Malmö and Padborg. 10 new locomotive drivers has been hired and apparently 10 class 66 locomotives has been leased from UK (24. May 2000, source DR).

ØSJS MX 42 lease: The former DSB MX 1005 (Nohab 2446/1961), now ØSJS Mx 42, has been leased by Vestbanen (VNJ) from the 2. May 2000 until 1. November 2000, as their Henschel loco VNJ DL 14 isn't working that well.

On 17. May it was "re-leased" to PBS, while their PBS MY 1124 is under repair. Mx 42 worked multiple with PBS MY 1110 in several trains, including the Bramming-Grindsted working on 17. May 2000 and the GF 8703 Tønder-Tinglev-Grenå on 17-18. May 2000. (24. May 2000, source John Nissen).

Railway museum for 25 years: The DSB Railway Museum in Odense celebrates its 25 years on the 19.-20. August with an open doors arrangement. The following locomotives will be steamed: E 991 (Frichs 1947), F 441 (Frichs 1914), Hs 415 (Maribo 1901), OL 2 (Chaplin 1869), Pr 908 (Hanomag 1908 / DSB rebuild 1946), R 946 (Winthertur 1917), R 963 (Frichs 1924), K 563 (Esslingen 1899). The following motor-locomotives will be on display: Me 35 (Triangel 1927), HVJ M5 (Triangel), Mo 1954 (Frichs 1935/1964), Mx 1001 (NOHAB 1960), My 1101 (NOHAB 1954), Mz 1401 (NOHAB) (perhaps repainted into vintage maroon livery??!). There will also be special trains working Odense-Fruens Bøge. In the evening of 19. August there will be a special arrangement with the posibilities of photographing steam locomotives in the dark. More info on DSB Railway Museum website (24. May 2000, source DSB).

Steam around Copenhagen: For the last time in a couple of years it will be possible to do the "Rundt om husene" steam trains around Copenhagen, as rebuilding of the Copenhagen Freight Ring into a S-bane suburban line will close the Vigerslev-Vanløse-line until 2004-05.

Dansk Jernbane Klub arranges trains on 11. 18. and 25. June with steam locomotive Pr908 and old wagons. Timetable:

København H. dep.   10.38 11.35 12.38 13.38 
Østerport dep.      10.44 11.41 12.44 13.44* 
Nørrebro dep.       11.05 12.05 13.05 14.05* 
København H. arr.   11.30 12.30 13.30

Other trains and activities can be found at the Dansk Jernbane-Klub website (24. May 2000, sources dk.fritid.jernbaner and DJK)

DSB Stykgods freight division sold : DSB Stykgods, the single consignments division of DSB freight has been sold to DF Logistik A/S, a new company 100% owned by cargo-company "Danske Fragtmænd A/S". DF Logistik A/S will take over on 1. August if DSB's and Danske Fragtmænd's boards accept the deal. DF Logistik will lease the 6 freight terminals in København, Ringsted, Taulov, Holstebro, Aalborg and Århus from DSB. (24. May 2000, source DSB).

Esbjerg-Herning "Vestkraft" coal-train ended: The Esbjerg-Herning "Vestkraft" coal-hauling freight G 7778 ran for the last time on 11. May 2000, hauled by MZ 1404. "Vestkraft" in Herning started recieving coal, which arrived by ship in Esbjerg in 1981. 18 wagons type Fals in blue livery was delivered at that time. The train ran with a class MY in each end of the train for many years, during the 1990's however mostly with class MZ.(24. May 2000, source John Nissen).

First class EG arrival: The first of the new DSB dual-voltage locomotives class EG no. 3101 arrived at Padborg on 3. April 2000 at 17.40. The loco has been transferred to Sønderborg, where initial testing and measurements will take place. More on the class EG can be found here (5. April 2000, souce Mikkel Elling & Jens Møller).

Di6 / DE 2650 testings and repaints: The elleven former NSB class Di6-diesels are currently being rebuild and repainted by DSB. The locos are rebuild in Copenhagen, then normally tested on a trip to Vordingborg. Repaints take place in Århus, while final assembly is back in Copenhagen. This gives quite a number of opportunities to see the locomotives being hauled around. Timings are as follows:
M 6433 Gb-Vo wed 1/3-19/4:
Gb 09:11 Ro -09:37- Rg -10:04- Næ -10:26- Vo -10:42- ME+DE2650
M 6332 Vo-Gb wed 1/3-19/4:
Vo 11:42 Næ -11:59- Rg 12:21/13:31- Bo 13:45/13:50 Ro -14:07- Gb 14:37 ME+DE2650
Notice: The DE 2650 is only working on the Næ-Vo-Næ part of the trip. The ME is used for ATC-protection.

For repainting:
M 8349 24/2-20/4-2000 thursdays
Gb 12.35 Htå 52 Ro 13.01 Bo (13.16) 21 43 Rg (33) 40 145 Kø 14.16 Ng 35 Od 14.58 15.45 949, 149 + Lkf pause Md (16.27) 16.39 51, 651 Fa 48 Vj (17.11) 17.26 453, 153 Sd 18.15 Hx (18.22) 40 55, 7764 Ar 18.55
Returning M 6324 29/2-25/4-2000 tuesdays
Arg 6.50 Sd (7.10) 7.19 112 Vj 8.08 Fa (8.30) .38 14 Od 9.29 10.18 Lkf pause Ng 10.43 Kø 11.02 So (11.27) 36 120 Rg 50 Ro 12.17 Htå (12.27) 48 Gb 13.09

Many more details on the Jan Munch Pedersen homepage. (6. April 2000, source JMP).

Two class MH temporarily preserved...: The two withdrawn class MH-shunters 386 and 415, which where sold for scrapping, has been resold to Præstø Produkthandel in the southern Zealand. They will not be cut right away, but preserved on a piece of track (6. april 2000).

Club 40 steam specials: Danish steam tour organizer "Klub 40" has arranged a two-day steam tour on Zealand on 19-20. May 2000.

19. May PR 908 will run from Roskilde to Ringsted, from where a coach will transfer the photographers along the line, chasing the train to Næstved. From Næstved the train will return via Køge to Roskilde. 20. May will see runnings with K 563 from Roskilde to Kalundborg and return. More information from Jakob Stilling (6. April 2000).

More class MZ_IV-workings in the West: The use of DSB class MZ_IV in the western zone is now taking place more regularly. During March MZ 1455 was used for ballast-trains on the Esbjerg-Tønder-line. It also seems that MZ_IV's is regularly used in an early morning Copenhagen-Padborg Dan-Link freight train, returning in the evening (5. April 2000, sources John Nissen and dk.fritid.jernbaner).

Privatbanen Sønderjylland MY-timings: The Privatbanen Sønderjylland "Mærsk"-freight trains Tinglev-Århus are currently running in the following timings:
7463-7863-7880-7380 cancelled 6/3-28/4
GX 8605 Te-Ar 6/3-28/4 mon-fri, ikke 29/3 Te 02:37 Fa (03:55)/03:55 Ar 05:39
GX 8707 Te-Ar 29/3 Te 02:54 Fa (04:12)/04:12 Ar 05:40
GX 8611 Ar-Cth 6/3-28/4 mon-fri Ar 05:42 Cth 05:50
GX 8612 Cth-Ar 6/3-28/4 mon-fri Cth 07:19 Ar 07:26
GX 8718 Ar-Te 7/3-28/4 mon-fri Ar 07:27 Sd (07:46)/07:55 Hed (08:33)/08:44 Fa (09:18)/09:18 Lk (09:44)/10:07 Sst (10:24)/10:33 Te 11:09
GX 8720 Ar-Te 6/3-25/4 mon, not 22/4 Ar 07:27 Sd (07:46)/07:55 Hed (08:33)/08:44 Fa (09:18)/09:18 Lk (09:44)/10:07 Oj (10:31)/10:39 Te 11:09
(6. April 2000, source Jan Munch Pedersen).

Three killed in accident: Two locomotive drivers and a passenger was killed when Regional service Rv 3705 (Fredericia-Struer - MRD 4202+MR 4002) was hit by Rv 3712 (Struer-Fredericia - MR 4043+MRD 4243), runnin app. 120 km/h, which by accident was lead into the siding in Kølkjær, where the regular crossing should have taken place (6. April 2000, sources DSB and TV2).

Siemens Dispolok DE-26-workings: The EVB Hamburg-München-Bremerhaven-Hamburg has been cancelled, while new services operate between two northern harbours (Bremerhaven and Hamburg) and three southern cities (Stuttgart-Hafen, Nürnberg-Hafen und München-Riem). The trains meet in Gemünden (at night). The trains are run in coorporation between Eurogate and European Rail Service (a co-operation between Maersk-Sealand and P&O-Nedlloyd). The Hamburg-München train is worked by Siemens Dispoloks 152 901 and 127 001, while the others (Bremerhaven-Stuttgart and Gemünden-Nürnberg) is worked by DE-26-locos. (30. June 2000, source Ringler.net)

Hannover S-bahn crash: Two EMU's class 423 collided near the Hannover-Langenhagen stop. 6 people where injured, five passengers had light injuries, while the female driver of one of the EMU's where severely injured. The trains S-5711 and S-5712 of Linie 5 (Airport-Hauptbahnhof-Expo-area) collided at around 10 with low speed at a one-track line on the entrance to the underground airport-station, but fortunately only carried few passengers. Some of the axles of the trains where derailed. (29. June 2000, source ZDF).

NEG V170's in Haldensleben: On 24. June 2000 the following ex. DSB Nohabs where seen in Haldensleben BW:
V170 1127, V170 1131, V170 1143 and V170 1149. In the shed was V170 1147. Near the station was V170 1151+V170 1155 with a rake of ballast hoppers. The Flechtingen depot is apparently no longer in use. (27. June 2000, sources Ulf Häger and Stefan Kolpatzik in Drehscheibe Forum)

 

Class 145 for HGK: German operator Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) has a new locomotive of the baureihe 145, numbered HGK 145 CL-011. Also BASF (145 CL-001 und CL-002) and the Swiss Mittelthurgaubahn (MThB, 486 651 - 656) runs class 145 locomotives, besides the current order for DBAG for this type (29. May 2000, source Ringler-Net Eisenbahn).

DB Crash injures 34: A class 628-DMU regional service, with around 60 passenger, mostly school-children, got into a wrong track and smashed into a standing freight train, lead by DBAG 216 140, at Hadamar, approx 50km northwest of Frankfurt, injuring 34 people on the afternoon of 24. May 2000. (25. May 2000, sources Danger Ahead and ARD (including video)).

Siemens Lokpool: German company Siemens has started leasing locomotives. For this use the 11 former NSB Di6, 3 ÖBB class 1016 (no's 1016.901-903) and 2 DBAG class 152 will be (re-)build and painted in a terrible yellow/grey livery! (5. April 2000, source Siemens).

Class 185 dual-voltage locomotive testings: Testing of the new DBAG class 185 001 is now taking place between Hennigsdorf and Velten. The locomotives can be used under the German/Austrian 15 kV/16 2/3 hz and the Danish 25kV/50 hz voltage. The locomotive will soon be transferred to Denmark for testings (5. April 2000, source Lok-Report).

NEG V170 1155 works the "Hoyer-shuttle": NEG dieselloco V170 1155, ex. DSB MY 1155, is currently working the freight trains DNG 80 161: Hamburg-Billwerder 7.30h via Hauptbahnhof to Brunsbüttel and DNG 80 160 Brunsbüttel 13.15h - Itzehoe around 14h, Elmshorn 14.30h, Hamburg Billwerder 15.30. The 80 160 can be delaid up to 1½ hours depending on how fast loading are completed in Brunsbüttel. The trains carries Tank-containers (30 January 2000, source Christoph Müller).

The use of the NEG V170 ended in the beginning of March, when a former DR class 202 took over the workings (update 6. April 2000, source Horst Ebert).

M 61 news & farewell tour: M61 001 has been sent to Tiszaujvaros, where it will be repainted in the old striped livery. The work will take about a month

M61 013 has been scrapped at Satoraljaujhely scrap yard in March.

An M61 farewell tour with MAV Nosztalgia will take place on May 13. Tickets cost just 29 £ with an optional 3 £ for a warm meal during the day. The tour will use one of the old, striped liveried M61 locos, either M61 010 or M61 020. The tour will be hauled by the same loco throughout. It will run on the old stamping grounds of the NOHAB's, when they were hauling the prestigous Express trains Zalaegerszeg via Tapolca (T29) and Ukk. It will also visit Szombathely and the railway maintenance facilities there. Return to Budapest via Veszprem (T20), one of the last chances to get a diesel there before the intended juicing of the line at the end of May, and certainly a very rare opportunity to have an M61 in the hills there! Naturally, photo stops and an on-board buffet will make the day more interesting! For more details, please visit: http://www.zpok.hu/fjoo/majus13.htm (5. April 2000, source Ferenc Joo).

Siemens Dispolok ME 26 leased for 3 years: 6 of the former NSB Di6 dieselelectrics, now owned by Siemens-Dispolok-pool has been leased by CFL for a 3-years period. The locomotives will be used for new freight activities in the Saar-Lor-Lux-area for crossborder traffic. The first 2 locomotives was taken into use on 17. May 2000. Two engines numbered ME26-02 and ME26-09 was spotted in Lux depot (in the roundhouse)on 18. May. In grey livery with wrap round yellow ends (extended at one end) they are adorned with CFL, Siemens and www.dispolok.com logos, and works dates of 04.00. (24. May 2000, sources Graham Belton, www.dispolok.com and CFL).

You'll find some photos at http://www.geocities.com/ottelejm/materiel/cflme26.html (25. May 2000).

The 6 Dispoloks are to work freight from Wasserbillig to Bettembourg. From September they will work to/from Ehrang replacing 181001 and 184003 (29. May 2000, source Graham Belton).

On 31 .May 2000 two more ME 26-locomotives arrived with CFL. The locos are ME 26 03 and ME 26 05 (22. June 2000, source Lok-Report).

On 29. June 2000, ME26-09 worked 11:27 Wasserbillig-Rodange forward from Luxembourg (at 12:27). According to the shunter it was a test, and the first working. Nothing at Rodange to take over so would assume it will do 14:05 at least as far as Lux; won't stick all day as the diagram goes to Longwy. As far as I am aware, still only the four loks have arrived in Lux. (30. June 2000, source Graham Belton)

New diesel locos: Also the diesel scene in Austria will change within the next few years. The new loco "Reihe 2016" will be a 4-axel, diesel-electric mainline passenger- and goods-hauler; while the new "Reihe 2070" is a heavy switcher. When available, those two locos will initiate a complete overhaul of diesel locos as presently in use by the OBB. 2016 will replace the 1040 (Selzthal) , the 2050 (Wien-Ost) and in part the 2043 and 2143. The new 2016 will be stationed Wiener Neustadt, Wien-Ost, Knittelfeld and Graz. 2070 will eventually displace locos Reihe 2048, 2060, 2062 and 2064 (harbor railway Linz) as well as minimize the usage of 2067's. The first locos of Reihe 2070 (a total of 60 are on order) will become available beginning 2001, the Reihe 2016 should follow in 2002 (40 ordered). (20. June 2000, source Klaus Domes).

NSB class 73 grounded: Saturday morning at 6.30 June 17th a class 73 long distance tilting EMU (BM 73002) running Kristiansand – Oslo S came to a sudden stop when entering the station area at Nelaug (junction for the Arendal branch line).

The first axle of the leading bogie derailed as the train was negotiating the points leading it into track 2. A wheel was broken loose from its axle during the incident.

The crucial point in the investigation will be to clarify whether the axle breakdown caused the derailment, or opposite. Until this is made clear, all class 73 and class 71 (Oslo airport express trains) are withdrawn from service, as they share the same type axles/wheels. This has put a stop to all long distance services between Oslo S – Trondheim and Oslo S – Kristiansand/Stavanger.

Trains made up of El 18 engines and coaches will cover for some of the departures, and some will have to go by road buses.

A NSB spokesman today said to NRK (norwegian public service broadcast) that the situation is not expected to be normal until monday 26th.

The derailed EMU (BM 73002) made it back to the workshop at Oslo by its own power on sunday. The damaged front bogie was replaced by an emergency trolley, permitting the train to go at only 20 km/h. The class Di8-powered rescue train ran a block ahead. (20. June 2000, source Andreas Westheimer).

The axle breakdown on BM 73002 on saturday 17th, is developing into a major issue. Investigations have uncovered another BM 73 with serious cracks on axles. All BM 73-trains are withdrawn for an indefinite amount of time. The manufacturer, Adtranz, has aired that the withdrawal could last for one year, if the bogies have to be reconstructed to accomodate new wheelsets.

In addition, NSB are in lack of loco-drivers, which has forced timetable-cuts and introduction of the summer-timetable a week early from 24. June 2000.

The BM93-incident has forced NSB to put the B3-coaches of sixties design back in use on the long distance trains between Oslo S-Stavanger and Oslo S-Trondheim. Trains that are not cancelled or replaced by road transport, are run with a varying number of B3 reclining seat coaches, a BF14 service car (guard, baby compartment, wheelchair-lift and cargo room) – and one A2 (first class reclining seats). Power is usually El 18. (27. June 2000, sources Andreas Westheimer, Aftenposten, NSB og NJK Solør og Odal).

 

Last NSB Di3-workings: The days of the NSB Di3 Nohab/GM's are almost over. Apparently the last freight trains are running these days, G 5794 was worked by Di3 619 + 628 on the evening of 15. June, while Di8 and leased SJ T44-locos are taking over more and more workings. The first Talbot "Talent" DMU BM 93.02 was delivered on 3. June 2000 and these units will replace the Nohabs on 20. August Nordlandsbanen, 28. August Trondheim - Hamar & 1. October "Raumabanen" Åndalsnes - Dombås. (16. June 2000, sources NJK Solør og Odal, Philip Wormald and Laurenz Edelman).

Di3 619, 623, 626, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 641 and 643 are the last units still in use.
The GM-Gruppen are running a farewell-tour on 22-24. September for the last Di3's in regular use and the night train on the Raumabanen (20. June 2000, sources Postvagnen NJK Solør og Odal, and GM-Gruppen).

Class 66 for TGOJ?: Despite of info telling that Swedish TGOJ are not going to lease any class 66 GM's, it seems as if they are going to recieve 2 locos??
According to "Modern Railways", UK-operator "Freightliner" are to recieve it's first 5 locomotives in the end of June, then 8 in the end of July and 2 more at another time. TGOJ are to recieve the last 2 locomotives originally included in the Freightliner order, General Motors are to rebuild them for swedish traffic. GM will then build two additional locomotives to finish the Freightliner order. (29. May 2000, source SJK).

TGOJ Traffic, have done a deal whereby rather than having to wait until next year for their two 66s, they will now get the locos which were no.'s 14 and 15 of the Freightliner production line. As with the German HGK pair this simply means a new works number and livery, with 66514/515 being reborn later, as were 66154/155.

The reason for this is to get the TGOJ pair to Sweden in about ten weeks, where they will get a major retro-fit to meet Scandinavian winter conditions. They will then operate a number of demonstration freights in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and, all being well, an order for 40 more could be forthcoming. This will need to be placed by New Year as otherwise the class 66 production line will close. The finance for the first pair (but not any subsequent order) is through HSBC - their first time in loco build. Their deal with TGOJ is for 10 years with a half-time opt out. In this case the locos would be available for purchase at a knock-down price to a British operator. (15. June 2000, Andrew Griffiths).

DB Class 103 to SJ rumours: According to German Railway Magazine "Eisenbahn Kurier" , Swedish State Railways has been interested in purchasing DBAG class 103 high-speed locomotives. SJ-representatives was in Hamburg in December to look at the locomotives. "EK" states that scrapping of old locomotives has been put on hold, still however, locomotives 103 114, 124, 158, 161, 165 was scrapped in Opladen within the last weeks. As it turns out, Sweden will not get any DBAG 103 locos. Instead SJ will lease 10 Norwegian El.18 for three years. In return NSB will use ten Swedish Rc6-class locos. However 35 Amz 210 and 35 Avmz 211 coaches will be leased from DBAG (24. May 2000, sources Eisenbahn Kurier, Lok-Report and Jan Lindahl).

Last EWS class 66 delivered: The last locomotive of the EWS Class 66 arrived at Newport South Docks on 21. June 2000, when "MV Fairload" docked with EWS 66240-66250 and Freightliner 66506-66510. The locos has the Works Numbers 968702-240 to 968702-250 and 998145-1 to 998145-5.

This finals the delivery of a total of 250 English, Welsh & Scottish locomotives delivered in just over two years. The first of the Canadian-built locomotives was shipped to Immingham, Humberside in April 1998 for testing. Since August 1998 locomotives have progressively been delivered to the ABP Port of Newport, South Wales. (30. June 2000, sources GMGEN, Class 66 Archive, Class 66 by Paul Eccles and EWS).

Heljan DSB Bn-Bns-coaches: Together with 3 model railway retailers, the DSB class Bn and Bns-coaches will be released in the end of 2000. Some of the stores will also release "exclusive" numbers and a OHJ-version (some of the wagons has been resold to this private railway). (20. June 2000, source Trinbrættet).

Heljan Nohab delayed: The planned model of the HO Nohab DSB MY / NSB Di3 has been postponed to August 2000, as there are corrections to be made. Photos can be found on the Heljan website (20. June 2000, source Heljan).